How to Become an Acupuncturist in Alberta
Do you need a licence?
Licence required
You must be registered with the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta to work as an acupuncturist in Alberta or to use a protected title.
- Protected titles
- Doctor of Acupuncture
Show the source
“you must be a registered member of the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta (CAA) to practice acupuncture in Alberta and use the title of Doctor of Acupuncture”
From alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/acupuncturist, checked October 10, 2026.
At a glance
- Licence status
- Licence required See the source
- Routes
-
- Trained in Canada: 3 steps
- Licensed in another province: 2 steps
- Trained outside Canada: 3 steps
- Annual fees
- Not stated by the regulator Check with CAA
Your roadmap
Tick each step as you finish it. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.
Trained in Canada
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
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Apply through the Member Portal to take the Alberta Acupuncturist Registration Examinations.
Source
“Apply to take the Alberta Acupuncturist Registration Examinations (AARE) through the Member Portal.”
acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applications -
Pass the Alberta Acupuncturist Registration Examinations, which are offered twice a year.
Source
“Pass the AARE. These exams are offered twice a year.”
acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applications -
After passing the AARE, submit a General Registration Application.
Source
“Submit a General Registration Application after passing the AARE.”
acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applications
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with CAA
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Licensed in another province
0 of 2 done
- 2 steps without a listed fee
-
Submit an LMA Registration Application to the College.
-
After evaluation and approval, pay a registration fee pro-rated based on the quarter in which you are registering.
Source
“After evaluation and approval, pay a pro-rated registration fee based on the quarter you are registering in. The College's registration cycle is April 1–March 31.”
acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applications
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with CAA
2 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Trained outside Canada
0 of 3 done
- 3 steps without a listed fee
-
Register for and pass the AARE, which is offered twice a year and whose results are valid for three years.
Source
“Register for and pass the AARE. Offered twice a year; results valid for three years.”
acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applications -
Upload an Educational Credential Assessment together with your examination application.
Source
“Upload an Educational Credential Assessment with your examination application.”
acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applications -
After passing the AARE, submit a General Registration Application.
Source
“Submit a General Registration Application after passing the AARE.”
acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applications
Listed fees for this route
No one-time fees listed by the regulator for these steps Check with CAA
3 steps without a listed fee, so the total may not be the full cost.
Requirements
Education
You must provide an official transcript and a diploma from an approved acupuncture program.
Source
“Credentials of acupuncture education | Official transcript AND diploma from an approved program”
acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applicationsFor internationally educated applicants, an education credential assessment is required and must indicate a minimum of three years of training.
Source
“Education credential assessment | Required — must indicate minimum 3 years of training”
acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applications
Police check
You must complete a criminal and vulnerable sector check.
Insurance
You must have professional liability insurance.
Other
Your diploma must have been obtained within the past three years.
Source
“Currency in practice | Diploma obtained in past 3 years”
acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applicationsYou must pass the AARE before applying.
Source
“Examinations (AARE) | Must pass before applying”
acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applicationsYou must complete sexual abuse and misconduct training.
You must meet the English language requirements.
You must provide two references.
You must show proof of citizenship or a work permit.
You must provide two pieces of identification.
You must have first aid and CPR certification.
You must demonstrate fitness to practice.
If you are currently or were previously registered in another jurisdiction, you must provide a letter of standing.
Source
“Letter of standing | If currently or previously registered in another jurisdiction”
acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applicationsFor labour mobility applicants, a letter of standing from the current regulatory authority is required.
Source
“Letter of standing | From current regulatory authority”
acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applicationsFor labour mobility applicants, the jurisprudence examination is required.
For labour mobility applicants, currency in practice is required.
Already licensed in another province?
Direct transfer
A registered acupuncturist from British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, PEI, or Newfoundland can apply for registration in Alberta under the Labour Mobility Act, with requirements including a jurisprudence examination but no retake of the entry-to-practice exam or competence assessment. Source
“If you are currently a registered acupuncturist in British Colombia, Ontario, Quebec, PEI, or Newfoundland, you can apply for registration in Alberta under Alberta's Labour Mobility Act (LMA).”
acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applications
Submit LMA application
Pay registration fee
Source
“After evaluation and approval, pay a pro-rated registration fee based on the quarter you are registering in. The College's registration cycle is April 1–March 31.”
acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applications
Processing time: Not stated by the regulator Check with CAA
Credential assessment
Not stated by the regulator Check with CAA
Exams
-
Alberta Acupuncturist Registration Examinations (AARE)
Source
“Examinations (AARE) | Must pass before applying”
acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applications -
Pan-Canadian Acupuncturists Examination
Source
“The Alberta Acupuncture Registration Examination include the following components: Pan-Canadian Acupuncturists Examination administered by CARB-TCMPA”
acupuncturealberta.ca/exams -
Online Safety Module
-
Jurisprudence examination
-
Acupuncture Points Exam
Source
“Applicants who wish to retake the Modalities Exam or Acupuncture Points Exam may do so through the Member Portal.”
acupuncturealberta.ca/exams -
Modalities Exam
Source
“Applicants who wish to retake the Modalities Exam or Acupuncture Points Exam may do so through the Member Portal.”
acupuncturealberta.ca/exams
Language tests
Not stated by the regulator Check with CAA
Canadian experience
Not stated by the regulator Check with CAA
Supervised practice
Not stated by the regulator Check with CAA
Demand and pay
| Where | Low | Median | High | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | — | $32,867 | — | Very good (5 of 5) |
| Canada | $32,867 | $32,867 | $79,500 | — |
Acupuncturists in other provinces and territories
- British Columbia Licence required
- Saskatchewan Not confirmed yet
- Manitoba Not confirmed yet
- Ontario Licence required
- Quebec Licence required
- New Brunswick Not confirmed yet
- Nova Scotia Not confirmed yet
- Prince Edward Island Not confirmed yet
- Newfoundland and Labrador Licence required
- Yukon Not confirmed yet
- Northwest Territories Not confirmed yet
- Nunavut Not confirmed yet
Sources checked
- Acupuncturist: Certifications in Alberta - alis alis.alberta.ca/occinfo/certifications-in-alberta/acupuncturist · fetched October 10, 2026
- Applications – College of Acupuncturists of Alberta acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applications · fetched October 10, 2026
- Applications – College of Acupuncturists of Alberta acupuncturealberta.ca/applicants/applications · fetched October 10, 2026
- Exams – College of Acupuncturists of Alberta acupuncturealberta.ca/exams · fetched October 10, 2026
Frequently asked questions
2
Do you need a licence to work as an acupuncturist in Alberta?
Yes. Registration with the College of Acupuncturists of Alberta is required to practise in Alberta, and to use the title Doctor of Acupuncture.
Which exams are required?
Alberta Acupuncturist Registration Examinations (AARE), Pan-Canadian Acupuncturists Examination, Online Safety Module, Jurisprudence examination, Acupuncture Points Exam, Modalities Exam.
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